Wainscoting construction



Nova 13, 192 1,691,803

w. r. GRAY WAINSCOTING CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 10, 1927 1 '\\1| INVENTOR.

0 I g Zfzi/fzazzzffa z 9 14 BY V' 1% ATTORNE;.

Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM '1. GRAY, OF BALLSTON SPA, NEW YORK.

WAINSGOTING CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed December 10, 1927. Serial No. 239,089.

This invention relates to improvements in wainscotlng const-ructlons wherein a plurality of matched boards are joined in superposed edge to edge relation to form the wainscoting.

The primary object of the present inven tion is to provide an improved form of tongue and groove joint between the edges of adjacent boards used in wainscoting of the above kind, whereby the construction may be conveniently and expeditiously erected in a neat and uniform manner.

A further object is to form the wainscoting elements or boards that they, when erected, will produce an accurate imitation tile wainscoting representing a simple and durable substitute for ordinary interior tile wainscoting construction.

Other and more specific objects will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, and the same consists in the novel form, combination and-arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawmg, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of an imitation tile wainscoting construction embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is 'a vertical section taken upon line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section showing more clearly the form of joint provided between the edges of adj acent boards as illustrated in Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken upon line 4- of Figure 1.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, 5 are the wainscoting elements or matched boards, each of which is provided on one longitudinal edge with a tongue 6 and in its opposite longitudinal edge with a groove 7. The tongue 6 has a convex front side or face 8 that extends substantially two thirds the thickness or width of the tongue and joins with a concave rear face or side 9 of the tongue, the faces 8 and 9 being arranged in upwardly converging relation so that the point of the tonguetis non-overhang ing. The groove 7 has a concave front side and a convex rear side conforniing to the shape of the corresponding sides of the tongue 6, and by reason of the non-overhanging form of the tongue, a ]O1I1t is formed which provides no positive inter-lock between adjacent boards such as will require relative angular positioning of the boards when olnlng the same. In other words, the

vtongue 6 may be entered into the groove 7 by simply moving one board toward the other in the same plane.

As shown clearly in the sectional views of Figures 2 and 3, the groove 7 is of lesser depth than the tongue 6, while the concave rear face 9 of the tongue merges with the rear face of the board as at 10 so as to leave a space at 11 between adjacent edge portions of adjacent boards at the rear side of the tongue and groove. This space furnishes clearance into which dirt or the like may settle so as to not interfere with the proper seating of the tongue of one board in the groove of the adjacent board.

The convex front side 8 of the tongue 6 joins with the body of the board 5 at the base of .the tongue a slight distance rear- Wardly of the front face of the board so that a horizontal groove or space 12 is left between adjacent edges of the joined adjacent boards at the front of the tongue and groove joint, in view of the further fact that the tongue is of greater depth than the groove in which it seats. The edges of the boards have their front corners rounded as at 13 so that the grooves 12 are given a fiat bottom round-edged shape, and similar vertical grooves '14 are formed. across the front faces of the boards, whereby, in the completed wainscoting construction, the grooves 12 and 14c define the boundary of square portions, representing erected square block tile. The vertical grooves 14 are spaced apart at regular intervals or distances corresponding to the width of the boards 5 so that the square imitation tile formation is had.

From the above description, it will be apparent that the tongues 6 of the boards 5 taper from a wide base nearly as wide as the thickness of the board to a point where use of a nail set.

A still further point of advantage with reference to the present joint for the boards is that no opening or crack will be left at the front side of the tongue'and groove joint should the tongue fail to completely enter the groove of the adjacent board for any reason. In view of this fact there will be absence of cracks which must be puttied to produce the solid effect of mortar between the boards the same as when they are properl joine i he present Wainscoting construction further embodies a relatively thick base board 17 having a tongue 6 along its upper longitudinal edge corresponding in form to that of the tongues 6 of the boards 5 and adapted to enter the groove 7 inthe lower longitudinal edge of the lowermost board 5 as shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the present construction embodies a relatively thick top finishing strip 18 having a roove 7 formed in its lower longitudinal e ge and adjacent the back face thereof, which groove 7 is similar in form to the grooves 7 of the boards 5 and is adapted for reception of the tongue on the upper edge of the uppermost board 5. The finishing strip 18 is provided with vertical grooves 14 similar to and at spaced intervals corresponding to the distances between the grooves 14; of the boards 5. In

erecting the construction, the boards 5 and finishing strip 18 are arranged with the grooves 1 1 and 14; in vertical alinernent to secure the square tile appearance referred to above. Molding strip 20 may be provided at the juncture of the base board 17 with the floor of the room, and this molding strip may be either formed separate as illustrated or integral with the base board 17. After the base board, the matched boards 5 and finishing strip 18 have been erected as shown,

" their exposed front faces or surfaces are completely coated with white enamel or the like as indicated at 21, thereby completing the glazed tile surface appearance of the imitation tile Wainscoting contruction.

The finishing strip or cap 18 has a beveled top slanting upward from the face of the cap to a point where the top and back'of the cap meet for the purpose of conducting waterto the outer face of the cap instead of allowing it to remain on the cap or to find its way back of the wainscoting whenever said water through condensation of steam or otherwise finds its way on said cap. The bottom edge of the base board 17 is beveled from face to back so that the same will set down tight to the floor and enable the moulding 20 to be dispensed with if desired.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an imitation tile wainscoting construction in which the several elementsmaybe conveniently joined in an effective and expeditious manner by any carpenter; It will also be seen that the construction will be considerably more durable than ordinary tile construction although a great deal more simple and inexpensive. 'Furthermore, due to thea complemental groove formed in the other longitudinal edge thereof, said tongue having outwardly converglng front and rear sides respectively of convex and concave form, said tongue being wider atits base "than the groove.

2. In a wainscoting construct on, a Wainscoting element comprisin a board having a tongue formed on one on 'itudinal edge and a complemental groove formed in the other longitudinal edge thereof, said tongue having outwardly converging front and rear sides respectively of convex and concave form, said tongue being of greater dept than the groove.

In a wainscoting construction, a Wainscoting element comprising a board having a tongue formed on one longitudinal edge and a complemental groove formed in the other longitudinal edge thereof, said tongue having outwardly converging front and rear sides respectively of convex and concave form, the convex front side of the tongue extending a distance less than the thickness 

